4 Great Family Attractions in Pembrokeshire

You’ll never be bored on a family holiday in Pembrokeshire! You can spend whole days playing on the beach, cycling through wooded valleys, discovering castles and clambering up hills, not to mention having a go at all kinds of sports and activities. But for those days when you need a bit more help to keep the kids amused, we’ve also got some great family-friendly places to visit. So, if you’re looking for a fun day out with the children, here are a few of Pembrokeshire’s most popular attractions.

1. Oakwood

South of St Davids near Canaston Bridge, this theme park has saved the day for many a parent of surly teenagers, although there’s plenty to do here for younger children too. Considered one of the best theme parks in the UK, Oakwood is sure to get pulses racing with rides like Speed, Drenched and the famous Megafobia, which has been voted the UK’s top wooden rollercoaster. It’s also home to the UK’s tallest sky swing, Vertigo, if you’re brave enough. If that all sounds a bit too extreme for some members of the family, there are alternatives to keep everyone happy – a treetops adventure, ghost train, mini golf, a boating lake and plenty of smaller rides and activities for the little ones to enjoy. If Peter Pan is a family favourite, don’t forget to visit the Neverland-themed area and keep an eye out for special events like Oakwood After Dark in August.

2. Blue Lagoon

Not far from Oakwood, you’ll find Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire’s premier waterpark - the perfect place to go if the weather has scuppered your beach plans. There’s a wave pool with its own beach, geysers, water sprays, bubble pools, outdoor and indoor spas and a lazy river ride to get you started. And if you want a bit more of a thrill, why not try whizzing down one of the four flumes that twist their way over and around the pools? With open and closed flumes that go in and outside the building, it’ll keep the kids happy for hours, although it should be noted that nerves of steel are handy if you’re going to attempt the fast and furious Torpedo flume! Blue Lagoon is very popular, particularly in bad weather, so it’s advisable to pre-book your tickets to avoid disappointment.

3. Folly Farm

Further south, near Tenby, you’ll find Folly Farm, a hugely popular family day out, particularly for those with younger children. With over 750 animals and over 120 acres to explore, it’s a great place for children to learn about animals, play and run off a bit of steam. Once you’ve paid a visit to the only giraffes in Wales, you can say hello to the black rhinos, meercats, tapirs, monkeys (and many other animals) or visit the huge variety of birds in the aviaries. Folly Interactive allows your children to get up close to armadillos and fruit bats and if you pop along to the Jolly Barn or Percy’s Piggery, your children can take a closer look at farm favourites, from lambs to llamas! You can also let the kids loose in one of eight adventure play areas or treat them to a ride or two in the vintage fairground. With both outdoor and indoor fun to be had, Folly Farm is a good all-weather bet.

4. Manor Park

Near St Florence is Manor Wildlife Park, home to exotic species like tigers, zebras, monkeys and rhinos as well as more common farmyard friends. Dedicated to protecting endangered species, this is a great place to educate the children about animal conservation, with opportunities to interact with some of the animals – you can take stroll through the wallaby enclosure or get to know the cheeky residents on the Lemur Walkway. For the enthusiastic animal lover, the park offers animal experiences where visitors can feed the tigers or become a keeper for a few hours, helping to feed and care for the animals behind the scenes. You can even hire a real keeper to give you a guided tour. If an ordinary visit is all you’re after, you can just enjoy wandering through the 52-acre park watching the animals, give the kids free reign in the large indoor play area and bouncy castle or perhaps try out the digital climbing wall.

Warpool Court – A Family Friendly Hotel

“With a small family, getting to spend time in a very nice hotel whilst keeping the kids entertained and enjoying the area is a tough call. In fact, I've been coming to Warpool Court for over 10 years, because it's quite simply one of the best hotels in the world…It combines the best of high end and keeping the kids amused - no mean feat!” Guest review, Tripadvisor.